Nanotechnology

What is nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is a broad name given to a wide range of technologies and materials that create, manipulate, or use particles that have one thing in common - their size.

Nanotechnology (or nanoscience) involves materials that are extremely small and have dimensions roughly between 1 and 100 nanometres (nm). A nanometre is 1 billionth of a metre. To give you an idea of the scale of nanoparticles:

A piece of paper is about 100,000 nm thick.

A human hair is about 70,000 to 80,000 nm.

A red blood cell is about 7,000 nm.

A virus is about 10 to 100 nm.

While the exact definition of nanotechnology may vary, most research and studies have concentrated on particles with a dimension of less than 100 nm.

NOTE: There are many types of nanoparticles - they can be particles, tubes, shells, quantum dots, etc. Other terms are nanomaterials or ultra fine particles. For simplicity, we'll use the term nanoparticles to mean any or all of these types.

What does this document cover?

This OSH Answers document provides a brief summary about the current research into nanotechnology. It focuses on the health and safety concerns when workers are exposed during the manufacture of nanoparticles. It does not summarize concerns for general exposure to consumers (e.g., when an individual uses a product for their personal use).

Nanotechnology is a field that is quickly changing both in terms of how we use it, and in our understanding of it. If you have concerns, you are encouraged to do further research in scientific journals for the latest findings. In all cases, more studies are needed to determine the health and safety concerns for humans - both for the worker and the consumer.

How is nanotechnology used?

Nanotechnology is an area of research and manufacturing that is developing quickly. There are many products commercially available already - such computer hard drives which use the magnetic properties of nanoparticles to store more data on much smaller devices.

Other common uses currently include:

Automotive applications such as sensors, or catalytic converters on cars.

Landmine detectors.

Medical applications such as burn and wound dressings, or dental bonding agents.

Research is also investigating using nanoparticles in medicines or treatments that will target specific organs or be able to deliver medicine to exact locations within the body (such as delivering drugs directly to cancer cells).

What are nanoparticles and how are they made?

Nanoparticles can be both naturally occurring and man-made.

Nanoparticles can be manufactured intentionally and specifically controlled to be a particular shape and size. Man-made nanoparticles are created by specific processes that create purposely-built materials with certain properties. These processes can be "top-down" where particles are milled to be smaller or "bottom-up" where the atoms and molecules are arranged to create the nanoparticles. In some cases, the nanoparticles can "self-assemble" such as carbon fragments that assemble into nanotubes.

Ultrafine particle is a term sometimes used to describe nanoparticles that were not intentionally produced - these are by-products of processes or they occur naturally. Sources of ultrafine particles include:

What makes nanoparticles unique?

Nanoparticles can have characteristics that are very different from when they are in their larger (or "normal") form. Often, nanoparticles will be stronger, lighter, more reactive, or conduct electricity in a different way.

It is important to note that a nanoparticle can have different properties than the same material at a macro level. Nanoparticles have a higher surface area in proportion to their mass. An increased surface area typically means the particle will be more reactive (such as having an increased biologic activity by mass when compared to larger particles). This effect can be either be a positive or negative quality. It is a positive quality when the particle displays antioxidant activity, or has the ability to carry drugs to specific organs or cells. But, it can be a negative quality when the effect can increase toxicity, increase the oxidative stress of a cell, or destroy the cell.

What are the health and safety concerns about nanotechnology?

It is a difficult question to answer as each nanoparticle (like each chemical) can have its own unique effects. The effects of the nanoparticles are not only based on the chemical characteristics - the shape, size, surface texture, surface charge and other factors can all impact how the nanoparticles might affect our health. In addition, the nano-sized particle may not have the same characteristics as its “normal” particles (including when the nanoparticle created from the same chemical or material). Nanoparticles are also being studied for their ability to cause fires or explosions, or if they can play a role as a catalyst (a substance that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction).

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the United Kingdom cautions "We do not recommend that you rely on hazard information for 'similar' nanomaterials in your risk assessment unless you have good data to confirm this approach is appropriate."

"... the information available about the hazards specific to these substances is still very fragmentary. The literature gives us very little information specific to NP [nanoparticles] relating to their physical hazards like fires or explosions. As for health hazards, many toxicological studies on different substances have demonstrated toxic effects on various organs. It is found that in general, an NP will normally be more toxic than the same chemical substance of larger dimensions, but it is currently impossible to determine which measuring parameter for exposure is best correlated with the measured effects. The evaluation of occupational exposure must therefore address a series of different parameters, and the exposure data available are relatively rare. It should also be noted that at the present time, attention is particularly focused on carbon nanotubes (CNT), which seem to show, in different animal studies, toxicity similar to that of asbestos and consequently causing great concern in the international scientific community, mainly relating to prevention."(From: Engineered Nanoparticles: Current Knowledge about OHS Risks and Prevention Measures, Second Edition, IRSST.

This concern regarding carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and other biopersistent high aspect ratio nanomaterials (HARNs) is also noted by the HSE which states "in view of the evidence for lung damage and lack of information on the effects of long-term repeated exposure, a higher level of control is warranted for CNTs and biopersistent HARNs."

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that low solubility nanoparticles are more toxic than larger particles on a mass for mass basis. It is likely that the particle surface area and surface density are factors. NIOSH also states the following health concerns:

Animal and human studies have shown that airborne nanoparticles can be deposited in the respiratory tract. Animal studies have also shown nanoparticles with the ability to enter the blood and move to other organs.

Animal studies have shown that nanoparticles show more effects than large particles of similar composition (showing pulmonary inflammation and lung tumors when inhaled).

Studies in animals and cells have shown changes in the nanoparticle’s chemical composition, structure, and size make a difference in their properties and toxicity.

NIOSH also cautions that current occupational exposure limits for "normal" chemicals or materials may not equally apply to related nanoparticles. (From: Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology, NIOSH

How do nanoparticles enter the body?

Nanoparticles appear to enter the body the same way other particles - through inhalation, ingestion or absorption through the skin. While there is no cut off in size that makes particles toxic or non-toxic, some studies have shown that as particles become smaller, there is an increased likelihood of injury to occur.

In all cases, more studies are needed to determine the health concerns for humans. How a nanoparticle enters the body and the effect it may have depends on many factors including:

Surface area.

Mass.

Solubility.

Composition / chemistry.

Charge.

Shape.

Aggregation.

Current research indicates the following:

Respiratory

Nanoparticles can be deposited in all areas of the respiratory tract depending on the size and composition of that particular nanoparticle. They can also enter the blood and lymph circulation systems and be distributed throughout the entire body. When in the blood system, they can be taken up by the liver, spleen, bone marrow, heart and other organs.

Skin

Nanoparticles can also cross the skin and possibly reach other organs. There are indicators that particles can accumulate around hair follicles and when the follicle opens, the particles can reach deeper levels.

Nerves

There is also some animal study evidence that the nanoparticles may be able to enter the body though nerves, usually the olfactory nerves and bulbs in the nose (the "nerves of smell"), and move along the axons and neurons of the central nervous system.

Digestive system

While this area is not as well researched, early studies have shown nanoparticles tend to pass through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and are eliminated quickly. Again, this effect is dependant on the properties of the specific nanoparticle.

How can you control exposure to nanoparticles?

There have been limited studies done the possible exposure to nanoparticles to a worker. As with any process, workers can be exposed through the manufacturing process, as well as the maintenance and clean up of the equipment.

The exposure potential is dependant on the following:

Characteristics of the material.

Amount of the material.

Whether the particles are dry or in a solution.

Degree of containment.

Duration of use.

Many studies indicate that the toxicity of particles increase when there is a decrease in diameter size and an increase in the surface area. This characteristic must be taken into account when conducting risk assessments.

In the absence of any other evidence, precautionary measures should be used.

Control measures can be implemented using the hierarchy of control principles. First, try to eliminate the exposure. If you are unable to eliminate the exposure, then engineering solutions should be investigated including ventilation and source enclosures. NIOSH states that "current knowledge indicates that a well-designed exhaust ventilation system with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter should effectively remove nanomaterials". Education and training in safe handling is essential. Separate eating rooms and change facilities are good options. While personal protective equipment (PPE) is being studied to determine if current models offer adequate protection from nanoparticles, use of such equipment can be considered as part of a complete health and safety risk management program. When any PPE is used, it should be done so as part of a complete PPE program. Health monitoring may also be considered.

NIOSH indicates the following examples as areas or activities where exposure could occur:

Working with nanomaterials in liquid media without adequate protection (e.g., gloves).

Working with nanomaterials in liquid during pouring or mixing operations, or where a high degree of agitation is involved.

If nanoparticles are used in your facility, make the effort to find and understand the most current research in this area. NIOSH encourages workplaces where employees may be exposed to engineered nanoparticles to:

Take prudent measure to control workers’ exposures to nanoparticles.

Conduct hazard surveillance as the basis for implementing controls.

Continue use of established medical surveillance approaches.

Document last updated on June 1, 2013

Add a badge to your website or intranet so your workers can quickly find answers to their health and safety questions.

What's New

Check out our What’s New listing to see what has been added or revised.

Need more help?

Tell us what you think

How can we make our services more useful for you? Contact us to let us know.

Disclaimer

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information, CCOHS does not guarantee, warrant, represent
or undertake that the information provided is correct, accurate or current. CCOHS is not liable for any loss, claim, or demand arising directly or
indirectly from any use or reliance upon the information.